Bayer HealthCare may expand in West Berkeley

Bayer HealthCare won unanimous approval Thursday from the city of Berkeley’s zoning board to make significant changes at its West Berkeley campus, on Grayson Street, to prepare it to manufacture a new generation of the company’s recombinant DNA treatments for hemophilia.

Bayer spokeswoman Trina Ostrander said in May that the new 3-story facility would house testing operations — on an existing parking area and empty lot — “for various raw materials and final product” related to the treatments.

Bayer is looking at demolishing three buildings, at 800 Dwight Way, and building a new 80,000-square-foot testing facility as part of its pharmaceutical operations. Ostrander said in May that the proposal, currently, is just that, as it awaits approval from the company’s governing board in Germany. The board has yet to vote on the project.

Prior to its purchase by Bayer in 1999, the site was previously occupied by Colgate Palmolive and Philadelphia Quartz Companies. If it moves forward, the project would be Bayer’s first major site improvement on the former soap factory property.

According to the staff report, about 25 people attended a community meeting about the project in May. They “asked questions about the number of employees that would be generated, the plans for the old lab buildings, and Bayer’s commitment to staying in Berkeley.”

Bayer does not plan to add staff as a result of the expansion, according to the staff report. Ostrander said in May that there were no anticipated job losses, either.

The project would be built in one phase lasting approximately a year and eight months, beginning in January 2015, according to the proposed schedule from earlier this year. During construction, access to the property would be via the existing Grayson Street Gate.

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EBGuy

Annie’s moved their corporate headquarters to Berkeley. They also have a “sample warehouse” on site. They use third party contract manufacturers. Perhaps you need to talk to your well placed source again.

Chris J

I have to totally concur with this observation and conclusion. Berkeley tends to always bite the hand that feeds it with their taxes. Cachet indeed. Berkeley is known for a lot of positive aspects, not the least of which are politicians taking on bigger issues gets handled by larger political organizations–like state or national congresses. The desire to tilt at windmills remains, even if doing so makes a valid point.

historian

Bayer: Killing bees. WWII. Look it up.

guest

Great news! Bayer is a wonderful neighbor and a great employer to have in Berkeley.

Too bad about Annie’s Organics getting bought by General Mills. Despite what the current owner says I get the feeling they won’t be in town much longer.